Read Winter Blues for Free Online Page A

pull girls aside at school and show them how to do that?
    “For last night.”
    “The gig?” she assumes, her eyes lighting up a little with her words.
    “Umm, yeah, ” I lie. I don’t really want to apologize now, knowing that it will only remind her of our dispute when she seems to have forgotten it so easily. “How did it go?”
    “Amazingl y. I actually have some exciting news.” She really is radiant with excitement. I raise my eyebrows, encouraging her to speak when my mouthful of toast can’t. “The owner of the bar has asked me to perform there,” she says through a bright smile.
    “At another open mic night?”
    “Nope. He wants me to have my own gig, baby. Two nights a week.”
    I chew my toast much slower than necessary to allow for a brief moment of consideration. She never wanted to gig again, saying that she had left performing behind, so why the sudden change of heart?
    “What nights?” I ask, not that it really matters, but struggling to work out what this really means.
    “Mondays and Thursdays.”
    “So, are you playing tonight?”
    “No, I start Thursday, I wanted some time to prepare.” She takes a sip of her own coffee, eyeing me over the mug. “I may go tonight, though. He’s performing and it was real good fun last night.”
    “Who’s performing?”
    “The owner. His name’s Blue.”
    “Blue?”
    “I know, right?” she chuckles lightly...oddly. “He’s actually pretty cool and I got talking to the others who work there. Everyone seems real friendly.”
    Is that what this is about? Making friends? I should be happy, I suppose. I mean, she genuinely seems in a better mood this morning. I just wish it was because of me. “Maybe I’ll come with you. I can try and finish early.” Her face lights up and in response I feel like an ass. I know I won’t be finished in time, so why did I say it? Because I want to pretend that I’m a good husband? Just for a minute? 
    “I’d love that. I think you’d really like it there.”
    I nod, unable to verbally lie again. Finishing the last of my coffee, I thank her once more for breakfast before fetching my briefcase and throwing on my jacket. I’m about to head to the door when I remember about her interview today.
    “What time did you say your interview was?”
    “Twelve.”
    Against the little voice in the back of my head’s advice, I walk over to her and kiss her cheek, gently cupping her fine jaw. “Good luck, not that you’ll need it. Blow them away, Darl.”
    She smiles sweetly, a little shyly. “Thanks. I’ll call you afterwards?”
    “Of course.” Why does she feel the need to even ask? “See you later.”
     
    Arriving late at work has really put a dampener on the whole day. I already had so much to do after securing the contract with the author last night and five more manuscripts have just landed on my desk. The morning has flown by in a wind of chaos and I’m momentarily contemplating how I’m going to fit in any lunch when my phone rings. I wait for the office secretary to pick it up, but when I glance to her desk she’s not there. Typical.
    “Reid Daley speaking.”
    “Oh, hi. I thought I’d get Karen.” It’s Darlene. Her voice is an instant soother to my taut mind and I lean back in my chair for the first time today.
    “No, Karen is otherwise engaged, apparently.”
    “Oh. Well , I’m walking to the store, baby, you want something nice for dinner?”
    “Never mi nd that. The interview, how did it go?” I ask, knowing how little time I can realistically spare for this conversation.
    “Really well, I think. The school is amazing and the principle’s fantastic.”
    “Great, that’s really great,” I enthuse, physically crossing my fingers for her, for us. “Did they say when they’d let you know?”
    “They have interviews all week , so by the weekend.”
    “Perfect, we’ll be able to celebrate Saturday then.”
    “Celebrate? That’s a little presumptuous.” Her words counteract the